Viththal Radadiya, a prominent leader of cooperative sector, and two-time parliamentarian who represented Porbandar, died on Monday following a prolonged illness.
A prominent political leader from Saurashtra region who had been with the BJP, Congress and regional outfit RJP, the former five-time legislator and cabinet minister was suffering from cancer and was bedridden for a year.
His son Jayesh is a cabinet minister in the Gujarat government and he was a sitting parliamentarian till 2019 but in the last election, he was dropped because of his illness.
His mortal remains will be kept at a hostel at Jamkhandorna in Rajkot district on Tuesday between 7 a.m. and 12 noon for people to pay their last respects, said his son Jayesh, who is a Gujarat civil supply minister .
"The final journey will commence at 1 pm on Tuesday from his residence till Patel Chowk at Jamkhandorna," Mr. Jayesh posted on Twitter.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani and others expressed condolences.
"Saddened to hear about the demise of former Porbandar MP Vitthalbhai Radadiya. Gujarat has lost a powerful farmer leader. He will always be remembered for his contribution in the field of cooperative, education, and political sphere. May God give strength to the family members to bear the loss," Prime Minister Modi tweeted.
"Saddened by the demise of senior BJP leader Shri Vitthalbhai Radadiya. I express my deepest condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti," Mr. Rupani tweeted.
Mr. Radadiya was a towering figure in Gujarat's co-operative sector with a strong base among farmers of Saurashtra. Mr. Radadiya represented Dhoraji Assembly constituency five times since 1993.
He was also chairman of Rajkot district cooperative bank, agriculture produce marketing committee (APMC) and Rajkot district cooperative milk union.
Mr. Radadiya however was at the centre of a controversy in 2012 when he was caught brandishing a gun at a toll plaza in Karzan in Vadodara district after being asked to show his identity card.
With PTI inputs
